Lap-Band® Surgery Cost and Financing Options

For some individuals looking to lose weight, a combination of diet and exercise may be effective in reducing total body fat and helping shed pounds.¹ But for others, bariatric surgical procedures such as the Lap-Band® system (Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding) may be worth considering — especially for those dealing with severe obesity.²

Read on to find out more about what Lap-Band® surgery is, what it entails, how much it costs and if it might be right for you.

What is Lap-Band® Surgery?

Laparoscopic gastric banding (or Lap-Band®, for short) is one of the most popular types of bariatric surgery.² It is the only gastric band procedure and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001.³

The surgery is performed by inserting a small camera called a laparoscope into the stomach, which allows the surgeon to perform the procedure without making a large incision in the abdomen. This type of surgery is called a "laparoscopy," which is where the Lap-Band® procedure gets its name.⁴

During the procedure, a silicone band is placed at the top of the stomach and a small plastic tube connects to the silicone band, allowing the tightness of the band and the size of the stomach to be adjusted by adding or removing saline.

After the procedure, an individual's stomach can only hold about 1 ounce of food.⁵ Due to the smaller stomach space, the feeling of fullness comes much faster and decreases the amount of food a person is able to eat before feeling full.⁶

How Much Does Lap-Band® Surgery Cost?

The Lap-Band® system costs anywhere from $9,000 to $18,000. Pricing varies based on various factors, including insurance coverage and geographic location. A patient's health characteristics can also influence cost, along with the surgeon and hospital selected for the procedure. Typically, this surgery is more expensive on the East and West Coast, as well as in urban areas.⁷

Having Lap-Band® surgery at a surgical center is often less expensive than having it at a hospital. The actual surgical procedure is only part of the costs associated with this surgical weight loss system. After the surgery, patients need to be monitored by a nutritionist, which can cost $50 to $100 per visit. Lap-Band® fills or adjustments are usually covered by insurance during the first year but can cost $75 to $300 per visit if not covered.²

In summary, along with the surgery itself, these are additional costs to consider when reviewing the total price of this procedure:⁷

• Consultations with a nutritionist and/or psychologist before and after surgery
• Additional operations to adjust the silicone band or address complications
• Sleep study to determine if excess weight is causing sleep problems
• Surgery to remove excess skin after weight loss
• Special meals or vitamins

Does Insurance Cover Lap-Band® Surgery?

Some insurance policies may cover this surgery, but it varies based on the insurance company, the policy, the geographic location and the patient's individual health status and history. Check with your specific provider to see if your policy covers bariatric procedures like this one.⁷

Does Medicare Cover Lap-Band® Surgery?

Medicare does cover bariatric surgeries such as Lap-Band® surgery, but individuals must meet certain requirements:⁷

• Have a BMI of 35 or higher
• Have a history of unsuccessful attempts at losing weight
• Have at least one health concern due to obesity (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.)

Other Lap-Band® Payment Options

If insurance or Medicare aren't options for you, many providers offer a cash discount for individuals who pay in full for the procedure.⁷

A Lap-Band® procedure can also be financed with the CareCredit credit card to allow you to pay for the procedure over time.*

Candidates for Lap-Band® Surgery

Ideal candidates for this surgery are individuals who have a BMI of 35 or more, or a BMI of 30 or more — along with a serious medical condition that may be improved with losing weight. ⁶

Benefits of Lap-Band® Surgery

Individuals who get Lap-Band® surgery can see an average loss of 40% to 60% of excess weight — though results can vary greatly: from 80% down to 0% based on the patient's motivation and adherence to the eating rules.⁶

Lap-Band® surgery has a number of other benefits that may make it worth considering:⁸

• Smallest number of short-term complications after the procedure
• Adjustable: saline can be added or removed from the silicone ring to adjust the size of the stomach
• Reversible/removable, if needed
• No permanent division of intestines or the stomach
• Smallest risk of nutrient deficiency compared to other bariatric procedures
• Outpatient procedure

In addition to being used to treat severe obesity, bariatric procedures like Lap-Band® surgery may also improve many conditions commonly seen in conjunction with obesity including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and sleep apnea.⁸

Risks of Lap-Band® Surgery

Despite its potential benefits, Lap-Band surgery does have some risks and disadvantages:⁸

• Potential repeated office visits for adjustments to the silicone band
• Higher long-term complication rate — up to 60% of lap-band patients need additional operations to reposition the silicone band, treat frequent vomiting or remove it due to a failure to lose weight.⁶
• Slower and decreased weight loss than with other bariatric surgeries
• Risk of silicone band slippage and/or stomach erosion
• Risk of swallowing issues

Before you decide on a Lap-Band® surgery, you may also want to consider other bariatric surgeries such as a gastric sleeve (VSG) or gastric bypass to determine which procedure may be right for you.

CareCredit Financing for Lap-Band® Surgery

If approved, you can use the CareCredit credit card to help pay for weight loss surgery, including the Lap-Band® procedure.* You can also easily search for local providers with our Acceptance Locator or download CareCredit Mobile App to find a provider who accepts the CareCredit credit card.

Author Bio

Kate Bayless is an experienced health and wellness freelance writer with 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women's Health, Beachbody, and OpenFit.